How to Stay Fit and Stay Healthy

 Is it Necessary to "Detox"?

The Natural Detoxification Mechanisms of the Human Body

From a medical standpoint, the term "detox" has only one meaning: it refers to a treatment program for drug addiction, which is not what "detox" proponents in books, websites, and popular magazine articles have in mind. The British organization Sense About Science created a primer on the detox craze, which explains: "Detox products claim to help you cope with a hectic lifestyle by removing toxins from your system. The liver, kidneys, and colon have developed to clear the human body of unwanted chemicals. Without medical help, they will not be able to improve their function."

Toxic chemicals are naturally converted by enzymes in your liver into less dangerous molecules. For example, alcohol is first transformed into acetaldehyde, a poisonous chemical that can destroy liver cells, but the acetaldehyde is quickly converted back into innocuous carbon dioxide and water. (Because acetaldehyde is poisonous, it can harm your liver if you drink too much and the liver's ability to convert it is overwhelmed.)

Even healthful meals like broccoli and other brassica crops contain harmful chemicals, such as cyanide in this example. These modest levels of toxicity, on the other hand, encourage your liver's enzymes to better detoxify other chemicals.

"Any needed chemicals are reabsorbed, and any undesired chemicals are naturally expelled in your urine within a few hours to prevent them piling up in your body," according to Sense About Science.

Your stomach and colon are both quite good at collecting nutrients from meals and moving waste out of your body. The idea that dangerous compounds build up in the colon and need to be "cleansed" is unsupported by science. Colon "hydrotherapy," "cleaning," or "irrigation" can damage the colon's protective membrane or cause bowel perforation.

The lymphatic system, which includes the lymph nodes and spleen, is also responsible for removing bacteria and viruses from the body. As the website Sense About Science points out, "The system is always in motion. It's impossible to stimulate it,' as some detox products promise."

• What happens to your body while you detox?

Detoxification is the process of purifying the blood. This is accomplished by eliminating pollutants from the blood in the liver, which also processes poisons for elimination. Toxins are also removed from the body via the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. Impurities aren't properly filtered when these systems are weakened, and the body suffers as a result.

A detox program can assist the body's natural cleansing process in the following ways:

• -Fasting to give the organs a rest;
• —stimulating the liver to rid the body of poisons;
• —Helping the intestines, kidneys, and skin to eliminate waste;
• -Blood circulation improvement; and
• -Providing the body with nutritious foods.

• What are the signs that you need to detox?

The following symptoms, according to Dr. Sara Gottfried, best-selling author of The Hormone Cure and The Hormone Reset Diet, are sure signals that a detox is in order:

-A yellow or white coating on your tongue

• -Has a bad breath
• -Regular sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings/blood sugar dips and climbs
• Even after a good night's sleep, Increased weariness
• -Gas and bloating
• -Moodiness, anger, and anxiety are all on the rise.
• -Cravings-
• -Acne
• -Inability to shed pounds

8 Detoxing Tips) 

• 1. Include coriander and chlorella in your diet.

Coriander, a traditional Indian spice, and chlorella, blue-green algae, have both been found to help the liver eliminate toxins (2). Coriander can be used as a spice with your favorite veggies, while chlorella can be added to a smoothie or juice.

• 2. Think about intermittent fasting.

In recent years, there has been a lot of excitement (and research) around intermittent fasting. While there are numerous methods to go about it, this detox approach entails semi-regular short-term fasting. It could be as simple as skipping breakfast every day or on certain days of the week (or eating a different meal), or it could be as complicated as water fasting one full day per week (only consuming water). Intermittent fasting has been proven in several trials to improve insulin and leptin sensitivity (3).

Fasting, on the other hand, should only be done by people who are otherwise healthy and fit. Fasting might cause more harm than good if there are underlying diseases or blood sugar abnormalities (such as adrenal exhaustion).

• 3. Consume meals high in antioxidants.

Antioxidants, which fight free radical damage, are necessary for healthy detoxification. Free radicals are particles that have been shown to cause damage to our cells and DNA, as well as play a role in the development and spread of cancer (4). Antioxidants such as vitamins E, C, flavonoids, and carotenoids are abundant in foods such as berries, citrus, green tea, onions, and dark chocolate. Any dark and brightly colored foods (think beets, carrots, plums, dark leafy greens, etc.) have high antioxidant content and should be consumed daily.

• 4. Get rid of the coffee

Don't get too worked up; it won't last forever. While coffee has certain health benefits, it is recommended that you avoid any caffeine while on a detox plan. Allowing your body to recover from caffeine metabolism while working to overcome any addiction you may have. Herbal teas can be used instead. If cutting off caffeine feels impossible and is the only thing keeping you from starting a detox, try green tea with lemon instead.

• 5. Eliminate processed sugar and carbohydrates from your diet.

Sugars that have been refined or processed are a no-no in any detox program. Table sugar, baked products, candies, drinks, and most processed and packaged meals fall into this category. These are extremely poisonous to the body and should be replaced with actual, whole foods during your detox.

• 6. No alcoholic beverages or smokes

Given the high prevalence of alcoholic liver disease among heavy drinkers, this one should be a no-brainer, as alcohol has a direct and detrimental impact on our liver. A zero-alcohol policy should be enforced during a detox. Cigarettes are well-known carcinogens that worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

• 7. Consume only entire foods.

Concentrate on high-quality proteins such as organic chicken and turkey, lean grass-fed beef, and wild-caught fish. Other nutrient-dense protein sources include pastured eggs and lentils (in moderation). 6-9 servings of fresh (ideally organic) veggies per day, plus a serving or two of organic fruits, should be the focus of your detox. Finally, a reasonable amount of beneficial fats, such as olive, coconut, and flax oils, avocados, raw nuts and seeds, ghee, and grass-fed butter, are essential.

• 8. Consume a variety of cruciferous vegetables.

Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and brussels sprouts are all members of the cruciferous vegetable family, which helps with Phase 1 detox (among others). Aim for three servings a day (one serving equals one cup cooked or two cups raw).

While a gentle, food-based detox is suitable for everyone, a more intense detox is not recommended if you are:

-You are elderly -You are pregnant or nursing -You are a youngster or teenager -You are underweight -You have a medical condition such as diabetes